Council rezones Cody Road land for apartments despite objection from rival developer

MOBILE, Ala. -- Mobile City Council members today rezoned land in west Mobile for a new apartment complex over objections from the developer of other apartment complexes in the area.

The council voted 5-0 to rezone 38 acres on the southeast corner of Cody Road and Somerby Drive from R-1, which is for single-family homes, to R-3, which is for multi-family complexes.

Council President Reggie Copeland was absent following the death of his wife last week. Councilwoman Connie Hudson abstained from the vote because she is a Realtor at Roberts Brothers, which is working on the project.

Tuscaloosa developer Ellis-Trick plans to spend an estimated $25 million to build a 384-unit complex on the site, said B.R. Roberts, president of Roberts Brothers Commercial Property Management, which is also working on the project.

The approval came despite objections from Birmingham-based Dominion Partners, which has built a senior citizens community and other apartments along Somerby.